The subtle yet soothing melody of southern Chinese “silk and bamboo” music has withstood the test of time, carrying with it hundreds of years of memories and legacies. Just like a gentle breeze on your back on a hot day, or the sound of nothing but the ripples on a pond and the distant chirp of cicadas, pingtan paints a picture of what appears to be simple, but encompasses the natural beauty of the world.

Adored by all, pingtan includes both Suzhou styles of pinghua and tanci. Pingtan is sometimes spoken and sometimes sung, and tells the stories of ancient heroes, tragic lovers, and other timeless Chinese tales. Performed in the soft Wu dialect of the Suzhou area, pingtan features unrushed and delicate vocals. Suzhou pingtan is also a type of storytelling, thus in addition to its pleasing sound it is also filled with the history and culture of China. It has deep traditions, a unique style, and incorporates the elements of “telling, joking, strumming and singing”. “Telling” refers to the form’s storytelling aspect; “joking” is the humor found throughout the lyrics; “strumming” is the strings of the sanxian or pipa, which can be played either by the performer or an accompanying instrumentalist; and “singing” is the singer’s vocal performance. After more than 300 years, many songs in pingtan’s repertoire have become widely known throughout China. With these images frozen in time, pingtan serves as a reflection of China’s past, memories, dreams, lovers that could have been, battles that shouldn’t have taken place. These stories are the soul of pingtan, which come to life with the subtlety of a spring breeze.

From past to present, from blind love to endless grudges, pingtan paints a plethora of vivid portraits of what makes us human. With more than a dozen styles, each with its own personal touches and sentiments, pingtan is an art which satisfies even the most ardent listener, but always leaves more to be enjoyed. The repertoire of pingtan includes classic tales such as West Chamber, Red Mansion, and Hall of Longevity, as well as folk legends such as White Snake, Jade Dragonfly, and Three Smiles, for a comprehensive look at traditional Chinese literature. On this compilation, an ensemble of some of the most talented young pingtan artists from throughout the Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai area bring you captivating performances, with production by prominent music producer Ye Yunchuan, recording by sound artist Li Dakang, and post-production by Stockfisch Studios of Germany.

From blooming flowers to falling leaves, first encounters to heartshattering goodbyes, the songs of pingtan offer you stunning imagery and captivating dreamscapes.